How to write angst fanfiction
Before venturing into the world of angst fanfiction, one must first understand what "angst" means. Used often in the realm of literature and film, angst is a German word referring to an intense feeling of inner turmoil and conflict. In terms of fanfiction, it means stories filled with emotional turmoil, inner conflict and often tragic or emotionally devastating events.
Angst fanfiction plays with the readers' emotions, making them emotionally invested in the characters through the hardships they face. It significantly features strong emotions such as grief, sorrow, fear, and overwhelming sadness. Writing such angst can be an emotion-draining process but is highly rewarding for both the writer and the reader when done right.
2. Mastering the Art of Characterization
Writing angst involves invoking strong emotions; hence, making your characters relatable and engaging is of the utmost importance. You must understand your characters' motives, fears, dreams, and weaknesses. Knowing your characters well allows you to portray their emotional turmoil accurately.
How the characters react to the complications they face is crucial in an angst fanfiction. These reactions showcase their psychological state and personal growth, defining the story's tone and direction.
3. Plot Building in Angst Fanfiction
Your plot is the backbone of your angst fanfiction. Make sure it has a well-defined start, middle, and end. The start introduces the characters and the conflict they'll face; the middle phase explores how characters react and adjusts to their predicament; and the culmination will either resolve their struggle or leave it hanging, depending on the type of angst you're aiming for.
Furthermore, a good plot carries the reader smoothly from one point to another, hooking them at every twist and turn. Your plot should be a balanced blend of emotion, tragedy, and hope tied together coherently.
4. Balancing Angst and Hope
Too much angst, and your story could be unnecessarily gloomy; too little, and you risk losing the impact. Balancing angst and hope defines your fanfiction's success. Characters should go through emotional distress, but moments of relief or hope often add a refreshing break, preventing the story from becoming overly depressive.
A little bit of hope keeps the reader interested, making them emotionally invested in the character's journey and hooked for what happens next. The cycle of distress and relief effectively holds the readers�attention.
5. Show, Don't Tell
One key aspect of angst fanfiction is that the emotion should be shown and not told. Instead of directly stating that a character is sad, show it through their actions and dialogue. The use of metaphors, similes, and creative language can effectively convey your character's emotional state.
Furthermore, showing the emotional conflicts, instead of merely telling, ensures your readers resonate with the characters' struggles. It helps them to feel the tension and emotive force of the story.
6. Pacing Your Story
Often overlooked, pacing is significant in dictating the flow of your story. An angst story should have a good balance of slow, psychological exploration and faster, crisis points. This change in pacing helps keep the readers engaged and desiring more.
Remember, very fast pacing might make your readers feel disconnected, while very slow pacing could make the story drag. Learning to weave together fast and slow pacing creates a gripping, edge-of-the-seat angst fanfiction.
7. Choosing the Right Platform
Choose a platform that supports your fanfiction, where you can easily upload your work and interact with your readers. Websites like Archive of Our Own (AO3) and FanFiction.net are well-known platforms for fanfictions. These platforms are user-friendly, have a large reader base, and enable writers to tag their stories according to fandom, genre, and type, ensuring that their work reaches the right audience.
On the other hand, apps like Wattpad cater to a younger audience and aim at more interactive experiences. Choosing the right platform based on your target demography can positively impact your fanfiction's readership.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes angst fanfiction different from other genres?
Angst fanfiction focuses more on characters' internal conflicts and emotional struggles, making them distinct from other genres. Such stories often contain tragic events, strong emotions, and may not necessarily have a happy ending.
2. What are some good platforms for fanfiction?
Archive of Our Own (AO3), FanFiction.net, and Wattpad are some excellent platforms for uploading fanfiction. These platforms are user-friendly, have a large reader base, and enable easy tagging of stories.
3. How do I make my characters relatable and engaging in my angst fanfiction?
Knowing your characters well and understanding their motivations, fears, dreams, and weaknesses is the key to making your characters relatable. Portraying their emotional turmoil realistically and their reactions to problems can help to make them more engaging.
References
1. Thomas, B. (2014). 'How to Write Fan Fiction that People Want to Read'. Lifehacker.
2. Smith, P. (2018). 'Writing Angst: The Balance Between Hope and Desperation'. The Writer's Digest.